Here Are 5 indicators That Could Tell You It May Be Time:
1.) Is it 8 years or older?
If your water heater is more than 8 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. If you aren’t sure how old your unit is, you can look at the tag or decal and it should tell you the manufacturing date. If you can’t find a label, then you should call a plumbing service professional to come and inspect your hot water heater. Statistics show that the average lifespan for a water heater is between 8 to 12 years.
2.) Have you noticed a leak?
Check the bottom of your water heater and if you see a wet spot, that is a tell tale sign of a leak and impending trouble. It may be from a loose connection but usually it’s more than that. Leak detection is essential to pinpointing your water heater malfunctions and can cause expensive damages to your home.
3.) Your hot water is a rust color.
If you turn on the hot water in your home and it comes out a rust color, that’s a sign your water heater may be heading for failure from the inside out. Although steel is a strong metal, after a while it can rust, causing rusty water to flow through your pipes and out of your spickets. There is a chance it’s rust from your pipes but most likely it’s coming from your water heater. If you notice rust-colored water, you need to call a professional immediately.
4.) The water heater gets noisy when running
As water heaters get older, sediment builds up on the bottom of the tanks. As the sediment is heated and reheated, it eventually hardens, wasting energy and using a lot of your water heater’s capacity. This could also cause banging or rumbling noises from your unit. You’ll also run out of hot water sooner. This build up may also cause extra time to heat water and can cause the metal to become brittle and cause cracks or holes in your water heater.
5. Not enough hot water?
When taking a shower, if the water turns cold quickly, you should call a plumber.. This is the most common sign you need a new unit or repairs. You could have a misadjusted thermostat, a broken heating element or the tank is too small for the amount of people in your home. Proper water heating is important to maintain enough hot water for your whole family.
If you notice any of these signs in your home, don’t hesitate to call a professional. Allied Experts have heard many horror stories of homeowners who just let water heater problems continue. Somehow they feel their unit will not break down. The last thing you want is a flooded basement with 50 to 100 gallons of water or more causing extensive damage. The repairs the damage will cause will likely cost more than a new water heater. This is way more expensive to handle than just replacing the older one!
Be proactive and at least get your water heater check and serviced to prevent a big problem!
Other reasons you may want to replace your water heater include:
The newer water heaters are much more energy efficient and can save you money on your utility bills.
You can get power vented units or direct vent now. Water heaters vented directly outside are much safer and healthier for the family, carrying the exhaust directly to the outside instead of reconnecting to the furnace with metal flues.
Carbon monoxide risk is greatly reduced!
Keep in mind the cost of replacing your water heater when it’s an “emergency” is more costly than being proactive and taking the initiative beforehand!
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Give Allied Plumbing a call now. We service areas from Bordentown to Sewell. We’ve replaced thousands of water heaters for homeowners in Burlington and Camden Counties. We will give you the best advice for your home and that’s a promise! 856-528-2822
